The South Carolina State Museum is gearing up for a festive holiday season filled with immersive shows, special events, and family-friendly activities. Guests can experience the beauty of the Northern Lights in the planetarium show Áróra, enjoy the return of the popular Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D experience, and explore the blockbuster exhibition Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, created by the Walt Disney Archives.
Áróra returns November 1, taking viewers on a cinematic journey through Iceland and into space to explore the aurora borealis in breathtaking 4K resolution. Also beginning November 1, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D will once again bring the classic story to life with 3-D visuals and immersive effects through December 31.
The Disney costume exhibition, featuring 70 iconic costumes worn by beloved characters like Cinderella and Maleficent, will be on display through January 4. Tickets are available at scmuseum.org.
Additional seasonal offerings include Holiday Planetarium Lighting on December 4, with extended museum hours, special shows, shopping, sky observing, and the ceremonial lighting of the planetarium dome — which will illuminate nightly through December. Santa Saturdays will provide free photo opportunities with Santa on select dates in November and December.
The museum will also host live observatory concerts, accessibility mornings, special author events, and more throughout the season.
Select Holiday Highlights
Shows
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Áróra – Starts November 1
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D – November 1–December 31
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BUGS 4-D – Starts December 26
Special Events
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Accessibility Mornings – November 8 & December 13
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Constellation Concerts – November 13 & December 11
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Harvesting Heritage: Stories in Season – November 14
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Book Talk with Margaret Renkl – December 2
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Holiday Planetarium Lighting – December 4
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Santa Saturdays – November 29; December 6, 13 & 20
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Member Holiday Party – December 10
Visitor Information
General admission:
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Adults $13
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Seniors $11
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Children ages 3–12 $10
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Ages 2 and under free
Blockbuster exhibitions, 4-D, and planetarium shows require an additional charge.
Hours:
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Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
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Sunday, noon–5 p.m.
Closed November 28, December 24 & 25.
Tickets and event details available at scmuseum.org.
